RYLIE
The steady drip drip of the water hitting the basin woke me up. I was seated on the floor, my body resting on the cold bathroom tiles. Grogginess overcame me as I tried to get up from the floor, my head too heavy for my weak body, so I grasped the sink as I stood. Blindly, I searched for the switch I knew was on that side of the wall and a bright light flooded the room when I found it, causing me to squint.
Tired eyes looked into the mirror and tried to see something other than the emptiness that glared back.
I guess I was missing school today. Again. I was too tired to face the outside world and the intertwining lines around my eyes show that. I pushed my blond tendrils behind one ear and closed my eyes. The night before passed in painful flashes behind my closed eyes: the argument with Dad, Mom's helpless and frustrated look, and the resulting punishment. I must have dozed off in here, I thought as I splashed some water on my face.
It was still dark outside, thankfully. It would take a while before mom woke up, but Nina and Gab would be up soon. I reached for the first aid kit under the sink and ingested some aspirin.
It was too early to be in pain, I thought to myself and barked out sharp laughter, pain was as familiar as my face in the mirror.
I slid back to the floor to give myself a minute.
It was the 3rd day of April in the year 2023. I concluded then that it would be a good day. It was hopeless wishing, but hope was all I had, and I would not let go of that.
I mustered my strength to stand and I left the bathroom, slowly walking to the kitchen. My body was gradually cooperating with me now; I guess after being beaten severely, you just get used to it.
There were a few dishes from the night before in the kitchen sink and the clock read 4 o'clock. I should get on with my morning chores, so I did.
The quietness of the house molded itself around me as I went about my chores.
It wasn't always like this.
We used to be happy, all of us. Including Dad.
Now the memory of those times was so hazy, and I didn't bother to recall them anymore.
Dad became a monster, and Mom became a shadow of her former self. She fell apart and just couldn't function anymore. Our once happy home had faded in my memories and the darkness of times past threatened to pull me under.
"Good morning, My dove," I heard Mom call out softly from the kitchen door. I wiped my hands and walked towards her, spying the clock as I did.
The time was now 5 AM.
She should be asleep for longer. "Good morning, Mom; why are you up?" I asked, looking over her. She looked so frail and tired and her nightgown hung off her body. She was still a very beautiful thing, though, with hair so dark it shone, a face carved by gods, and a loveliness that couldn't be hidden. I could only wish to look that good.
"I don't know," she mumbled, "I woke up and I wanted to see you." I heard her sharp intake of breath as I reached her.
"I look worse than I feel," I said dryly.
"I'm sorry Dove, I should be able to protect you. I'm sorry Mommy can't do more for you." Her voice broke. Waterworks would soon follow if we didn't leave the topic.
"Go ahead and sit, Mom; I'll make you breakfast." My voice was as soft as it could be.
Light footsteps pulled my attention once again to the door. Entering the kitchen was Gabrielle and following closely behind her was Nina, both younger sisters of mine and exact copies of Mom. They were born the year after my birth.
"Rylie?" Gabrielle called her eyes still full of sleep.
"Gab, sit down. You too Nina."
I watched the sunrise from the kitchen window as I made breakfast of toasted bread, eggs, and beverages. It was quiet as we ate with Mom picking at her food and the rest of us making haste.
Our house was far away from the main house and it occupied a little lonely piece of Dad's property. We moved here a while back after Mom found out she was not a legal wife but one of Dad's many mistresses. He made us move.
One minute we were happy and then the next, we were here. Mom didn't recover from the shock and I never got past the anger. I made sure to always show my disgust and speak my mind, hence the occasional beating. Last night was one of those times.
Other houses like ours dotted the property too; tiny and filled with broken dreams and families, and some sat empty.
But they were filling up. I knew this because I'd sneak around on most nights. It was almost as though he intentionally built the numbers and was assembling all of us.
For what, I didn't know.
*************************
I was being chased.
I could feel my heart pounding, going a million beats per minute, my lungs straining to get more air. I could hear them behind me, angry footsteps; a lot of them, coming fast after me.
It was so dark, and I couldn't see in front of me, but I knew what it was behind me. My legs threatened to give out, but there was no stopping.
There was a voice in the wind, calling my name, "Rylie....." softly echoing through the darkness.
My legs gave out.
Hands pulled at me, pulling at my dress, my hair, and then that voice again. "Rylie!" So hard.
I awoke with a start, I was covered in a thick sheen of sweat and my pulse raced to keep up with my heart. Sitting up, I rested my head on the headboard, giving myself a minute to breathe. Dreams similar to this one had become usual for me.
5:00 glowed lightly in blue letters from my bedside clock. Shaking the eerie feel left over from my dream, I got up, ready to do my morning chores before coming back to prep for school. I tapped lightly on Gab's and Nina's door as I passed by it.
Everyone was at the table when I came back. "Morning Mom." I greeted, moving to my chair.
"Good morning Dove," she looked better today. I ruffled Nina's hair as I passed by her chair to which she replied with a death glare.
"I love you too sis." I laughed, fist-bumping a laughing Gab from across the table. There was morning chatter today; about school and things in between. Mom's soft smile stayed in place.
The car horn sounded at exactly 7 AM, we took our lunches and were out the door. The car and our designated driver were right in front of the house, and workers were tending to the outside of the house.
I knew Dad was filthy rich, but we never had help inside the house; they only tended to the environs and left.
"I want to ride in front today," Gab said as I dragged the car door open.
"You know he won't let you..." Nina replied but Gab was already knocking on the front window of the car. She turned to me with an annoyed look, I shrugged and entered the car. I could hear a gruff no from our driver; David. He was a bear of a man and he doubled as personal security for the three of us. He hardly spoke to any of us.
Nina slid in beside me, and Gab beside her with a glum look on her face, and I was tempted to laugh.
We got to the gate where David got clearance to leave. This was the only time we could ever leave. Mom didn't go out at all and all the shopping was usually done and brought to us per our needs. Other dark-tinted cars were leaving the estate, too. Half siblings of mine I was sure, but we knew none of them.
"Do you ever wonder about them?" Gabrielle asked from her spot.
"I don't." from Nina, her expression was something I didn't understand.
"Oh I do, I always do," I whispered while staring out the window.
It was quiet for the rest of the drive.
*************************
Saturday! Yay.
I hated Saturdays, for no good reason, but I did. It allowed me to stay longer in bed though. Detangling myself from my blankets, I made a beeline for the bathroom.
Clear blue eyes stared back at me from the mirror. I studied my features, from my long blond hair to my widely spaced eyes, to my high cheekbones, to my tiny nose, to my mouth. My reflection mocked me.
I looked so much like Dad. It pissed me off in more ways than one. I was beautiful, but I'd never agree to that. Anything that relatively looked like or related to Dad was ugly.
I brushed my teeth and headed to the dining space. Voices floated to me as I walked through the corridor; Mom was speaking, but I knew Gab and Nina weren't up yet.
The end of the corridor revealed Dad sitting with Mom in our dining area. Our dining area was basically an extension of the kitchen, and there were coffee mugs in front of them. The strong smell of coffee blanketed the whole area.
"Rylie, my favorite child." His voice carried fake cheer and his smile was sickening.
Dad was a handsome man, but I could only see the ugliness when I looked at him. Blond hair the same shade as mine. It looked windblown as though he'd gone for a run; he probably had; he was dressed for it with joggers and a white tee.
He looked the picture of everyday ordinary, he was anything but. His presence was dominating and it felt like he occupied more than just a chair. The room seemed smaller.
"Yeah, I bet I am," I said under my breath. I moved to the kitchen counter. "Dad! It is never nice to see you." I infused as much fake cheeriness in my voice as well.
I poured a glass of water for myself and moved to stand beside Mom's chair, a hand resting on my hip. "What did we do to be punished with your presence?" I took a long sip and locked my eyes with his from above the rim of my cup.
Mom turned her head sharply to me, "Rylie, that is no way to speak to your father." She tried to sound sharp but she came off as weak. She always did.
"It is the only way to speak to my father, Mom."
"Oh let her be Marie, you know teenagers, they like to rebel." The sickening smile stayed in place. "It is the age to rebel, Rylie, so do that." His eyes stayed glued to mine.
"Marcus," Mom called, I could hear the pleading in her voice. I hated it.
He casually unfolded his long length from the chair. I didn't see the slap coming. My face turned violently to the side and my cup flew from my hand. It rained glass on the table and the kitchen floor when the cup made an impact. Bits of glass fell on Mom, too; I pushed my hair behind my ear and turned to face him.
"But you will get the treatment you deserve each time you disrespect me." He threatened, his voice hard. His hand connected with my face again. Another slap on my other cheek this time, and Mom kept quiet as usual. She just wrapped her hands tightly around her coffee mug.
"It would have been nice to spend quality time with my family today. Give my love to Gabrielle and Nina." And with that, he left the dining area. I could hear the slam of the front door moments later.
"Well, that's a nice way to stay the day." I felt my cheeks; they were hot to the touch and were probably reddened by now.
"Rylie, how long will it continue like this, baby?" She sounded tired. She only ever had the strength to be tired.
"No, Mom, I should ask you that. For how long will YOU let us continue like this!" I was so angry at her; blood roared in my ears as rage took over. "He doesn't care at all about you or us. I don't understand why he even keeps us here."
"Baby there's nothing we can do about that but adjust to the situation." She whimpered, stretching out her hands to hold mine.
I ignored her hands and moved to stand on the other side of the table while trying to sidestep the broken pieces of glass. "Don't you feel it? The ill feeling in the air? This instinct telling us to find a way to leave and never return?"
"Rylie, you're being overly dramatic." Her face begged me to stop.
"No, Mom, there's something really wrong with Dad and with this whole arrangement."
"Please just quit it." Her voice was hard. Finally, some other emotion.
"No! Why can't we go out on our own? Why the numerous little houses with other women? with the other kids? I have other siblings I don't even know." I screamed my frustrations out at her.
"It is hard for me too, perhaps even harder than it is for you. So please child, give me a break." A hand rubbed her temples wearily.
"All you've ever had are breaks. You don't even try, you just let him do as he pleases!" My breath came in little pants.
"Rylie, enough!" Her chair scraped loudly against the floor as she pushed it backward; she stood and went to gently place her mug in the kitchen sink, her back to me. "He's your father."
"I hate it here! I hate everything. I hate this house, I hate Dad and I am starting to hate you too! You're supposed to be on my side, Mom." I could hear her weary sigh as I stormed out of the room.
Gab and Nina heard all that. That was my only thought as I passed by their door.